Town easily brushed aside Oxford United 5-1 at the Kassam Stadium despite going behind in the ninth minute. Tommy Miller scored twice before half-time, with Darren Bent, Pablo Couñago and Jim Magilton completing the scoring.
A first visit to the new Kassam Stadium and it's a little unusual for a new construction. The stadium consists of three stands, with the west end of the ground open. The South Stand has two tiers with the away fans opposite in the North Stand.
Town lined-up much as predicted with Kelvin Davis recovering from his injury. The back four, from left to right, were Richards, De Vos, Naylor and Diallo. Westlake, Magilton and Miller made up the midfield, with Bowditch, Bent and Couñago up front in a 4-3-3.
Jim Magilton got a good reception from the home fans, appreciative of his time at the old Manor Ground, something which was to continue throughout the game.
Richard Naylor was at fault for Town going behind in the ninth minute. He lost his marker and nearly conceded a penalty by pulling him back, but the ball went wide to Basham who beat Davis at his near post.
Town equalised in the 22nd minute via a well worked free-kick on the right. Magilton played a square pass to Miller, who hit a low shot into the back of the net through a crowd of players.
Miller was then heavily involved four minutes later, when he was fouled in the penalty area. He took the spot-kick himself, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Oxford introduced four substitutes at half-time with Joe keeping with the eleven which started the match.
It took only three minutes to extend our lead. Bowditch made good work and passed wide to Bent who cut in and struck his shot went past the keeper, who won't be pleased he was beaten at his near post. Very similar to the home side's goal earlier in the game.
Westlake was then provider to Couñago, whose shot flew into the top right corner. The Spaniard was then immediately replaced with Shefki Kuqi.
The crowd had just discovered they could make a lot of noise by banging the empty seats around them which kept them amused.
The 343 Town fans were quiet all through the match with the home fans taunting "you never sing when you're winning". A figure of 2,493 was announced as the total attendance.
Miller was replaced by Murray in the 65th minute with the home side making another two substitutes.
Appropriately, Jim Magilton completed the scoring in the last minute of the game, from a Bowditch cross from the byline.
All in all, a much improved performance if previous reports are anything to go by. The only negative comments I could make would be the performance of Diallo at right-back who looked nervy when challenged and Richard Naylor who conceded the goal.
Dean Bowditch came more into the game in the second half after being quiet in the first, perhaps not comfortable with playing a wider role in a 4-3-3. However, Darren Bent revelled in this role.
Pablo scored a great goal and generally put in a big effort all over the pitch. I'm sure it will have been pleasing for Joe that there were four goalscorers in a match where our midfield was in control.
Oxford don't have the greatest pedigree but it was still a good workout with many players putting in another 90 minutes.
Town: Davis, Diallo, Richards, De Vos, Naylor, Westlake, Magilton, Miller (Murray 68), Couñago (Kuqi 62), Bent, Bowditch.